Automatic winding mechanism



Dec. 20, 1960 R. w. SCOTT 2,965,333

AUTOMATIC WINDING MECHANISM Original Filed July 16, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet1 23 L9 60 22 la 20 l6 i /0 t'. .g -1- o i l? 4/ as J8 T 64a u: m 4 5/42 x E @fl INVENTOR. RAY W SCOTT BY A TTOIQA/[YJ Dec. 20, 1960 R. w.SCOTT AUTOMATIC WINDING MECHANISM Original Filed July 16, 1953 INVENTOR.

RAY 14/ 56077 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I llHllIl ATTORA/[YJ Dec. 20, 1960 R. w.SCOTT AUTOMATIC WINDING MECHANISM Original Filed July 16, 1953 3Sheets-Sheet 3 F/G J0 INVENTOR. RAY W SCOTT A 7' TORA/EV United ratesAUTOMATIC WINDING MECHANISM Ray W. Scott, 913 S. Lake Ave., Los Angeles,Calif.

This invention relates to an automatic winding mechamsm.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved traversemechanism for guiding the material upon a spool, or the like, and thatcan be easily adjusted to center the traverse and also vary the lengthof the traverse sweep.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel winding shaftthat can accommodate either a spool or a flat element or card, such asof cardboard, or the like, upon which the material is to be wound. Forthis purpose, the shaft is of bifurcated form, a cardboard being capableof being carried between the bifurcations, and the aperture of a spoolbeing capable of passing both bifurcations.

This application is a division of a copending application filed in thename of Ray W. Scott, Serial No. 368,338, filed July 16, 1953, andentitled Automatic Winding Mechanism, now Patent No. 2,813,345, issuedNovember 19, 1957.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearlyapparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form inthe drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification.This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that thisdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a device incorporating the presentinvention, some of the parts being broken away and others being shown infragmentary section;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken along the planeindicated by line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary elevations, taken in a directioncorresponding to line 4 4 of Fig. 1 and respectively showing differentpositions of the mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the structure for simultaneouslyoperating a circuit controller and a brake for the winding shaft;

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the traverse mechanism;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the plane indicated byline 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a view showing an alternate mode of using the winding shaft;and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view, taken along a plane indicated by line 1010of Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 1, a spool 10, upon which material 11, such as beltlacing, is to be wound, is carried by a winding shaft 12 that projectsfrom a housing 13.

The winding shaft 12 is operated by a transmission mechanism enclosedwithin the casing 13. A motor 14 has a shaft 15 for driving a frictionwheel 9 of the transmission mechanism. A toggle switch 16, supported onatent Patented Dec. 21), 1960 the casing 13, controls the energizationof the motor 14.

That portion of the winding shaft 12 upon which the spool 10 issupported comprises bifurcations 16 and 17. The bifurcations 16 and 17both project through the spool 18.

A collar 18, carried for rotation by the shaft 12, has a recess 20receiving the usual flanged-over inner cylinder 19 of the spool 10. Thespool 10 is coupled to the winding shaft 12 by friction created byopposite flexure of the bifurcations 16 and 17 to engage the inner cylinder 19 of the spool 10. This is accomplished by driving a wedge or othersuitable device 21 between the bifurcations. Conveniently, the legs of aspring clamp comprise the wedge.

An inclined shaft 22 projecting from the housing 13 supports a materialsupply spool 23.

A measuring device 24 operates a circuit controller 25 interposed in theenergization circuit for the motor for deenergizing the motor upon apassage of predetermined length of material 11 on the winding spool 10.

An angularly movable shaft 26 (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6), appropriatelysupported by a bracket 27 secured to the base 28 of the device, isconnected by a mechanism, now to be described, to a striker rod 29engageable with a flexible arm of the circuit controller 25. The shaft26 is freely rotatable in bearing brackets 30 (Fig. 3). The shaft 26 androd 29 comprise a trip mechanism for opening circuit controller 25. Anovercenter spring linkage mechanism is provided for causing movement ofthe striker 29 upon a predetermined angular movement of the shaft 26.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5, the upper end of the striker 29is pivotally secured to one arm 31 of an angled lever or link 32. Theother arm 33 of the angled lever 32 is pivoted to a crank 34 carried bythe shaft 26. For this purpose, a pin 34a is provided. The arms 31 and33 define a concavity between them. A helical tension spring 35, securedto the bracket 27, engages the arm 31 of the angled lever 32 to urge theangled lever 32 downwardly.

In the angular position of the shaft 26 shown in Fig. 5, the spring 35exerts a force tending to move the crank 34 in a counterclockwisedirection about the shaft 26. The concavity between the arms 31 and 33permits the link to occupy a position in which the spring exerts atorque in this direction. Furthermore, movement in such counterclockwiseposition is limited by engagement of the shaft 26 with the apex of theangled lever 32.

Upon slight angular movement of the shaft 26 in a clockwise directionfrom the position shown in Fig. 5, the force exerted by the spring 35shifts from one side of the axis of rotation of the shaft 26 to theother. Accordingly, the linkage for the striker mechanism is trippedupon a slight angular movement of the shaft 26, and the striker suddenlymoves to open the circuit controller 25. The position of the crank 34and the lever 32 after such tripping movement is shown in Figs. 4 and 6.

When the shaft 26 is tripped, a wrap-around brake band 36 is alsooperated. The band 36 is carried in a groove of the collar 18, in whichit may slip. A crank 37 (Fig. 6), carried at the end of the trip shaft26, moves a connecting link 38 upwardly when the shaft 26 is tripped.The link 38 rotates a dog lever 39 upwardly to interpose the dog lever39 in the path of rotation of a projection 40 formed integrally on theband 36. The dog lever 39 is pivoted on a bracket 41 mounted on thehousing 13. The dog lever 39 prevents rotation of the brake band 36, andthe band 36 wraps around the collar 18 and quickly halts rotation of thewinding shaft 12.

When the brake band 36 is operated, the inertia of the motor causesslippage between the motor shaft 15 and the friction wheel 9 of thetransmission mechanism.

The winding shaft 12 is thus stopped simultaneously with the opening ofthe motor circuit, and precise measuring can be achieved by eliminatingthe inconstant effects of motor inertia and transmission friction.

' The measuring device 24 includes a rotatable disc 42 (Figs. 1, 2 and3). The disc 42, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, mounts anarcuately disposed leaf spring 43, the free end of which is spaced fromthe rear surface of the disc 42 and forms a projection engageable withan arm 44 of the shaft 26 upon sufficient angular movement of disc 42.The end edge of spring 43 then engages the arm 44 to move the shaft 26and trip the crank 34 and lever 32 when the disc 42 moves clockwise to adefinite angular position.

The leaf spring 43 is adjustably secured to the disc 42 by a bolt andelongate slot (Fig. 10) so that the angular position of the spring 43 onthe disc 42 may be accurately adjusted.

The disc 42 is frictionally mounted on a shaft 45 that is supported forrotation on the bracket 27 (Fig. 2). The shaft 45 and the disc 42frictionally coupled thereto are driven by a transmission that isoperated directly in accordance with the amount of material 11 beingwound. After first positioning the disc 42 counterclockwise from shafttripping position and resetting the shaft 26 and the trip device to theposition of Fig. to close the circuit controller 25, the windingmechanism is started by throwing the main switch 16. The mechanism thenautomatically stops after passage of material in an amount directlyproportional to the initial setting of the frictionally mounted disc 42.Calibrations 51 on the face of the disc 42 cooperate with an indicator52 secured to the bracket 27, and permit the operator accurately to setthe mechanism. The tripping may be made to correspond precisely to azero indication by adjustment of the angular position of the leaf spring43 on the disc 42.

The leaf spring 43 makes it possible to reset the mechanism in anydesired sequence. If the shaft 26 and trip mechanism are first reset bya reset lever 90 (Fig. l), the spring 43 may move in a resetting orcounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, without disturbing theshaft 26 from its reset position. In the event that the leaf spring 43engages the arm 44 in such movement, the leaf spring 43 flexes towardthe disc 42 until the end of the leaf spring 43 clears the arm 44. Theengagement between the spring 43 and the arm 44 is inelfective to movethe arm 44 since the shaft is then in the limiting position of Fig. 5.

A worm wheel 46 operated by a worm 47 is driven through suitablereduction gearing by a pulley 48 about which the material 11 passes. Thepulley 48 is rotatably supported on a bracket 49 secured to the rear ofthe bracket 27. Suitable guides 50 are provided for directing thematerial 11 about the pulley 48. Accordingly, the disc 42 rotates inproportion to the amount of material 11 that is wound.

A friction connection between the disc 42 and shaft 45 makes it possibleto set the disc and the projection 43 without overcoming the torque ofthe reduction gearing.

For this purpose, apertured friction members 53 are disposed on oppositesides of the disc 42. The shaft 45 passes through an aperture in thedisc 42 and through the friction members 53. The friction members 53 areaccommodated between washers 55. A cap nut 54, threadedly accommodatedon the shaft 45, engages the outer washer to urge the assembly against aspacer sleeve 56 and lightly compress the resilient members 53frictionally to hold the measuring disc 42 in place. A set screw 57locks the cap nut 54 in an adjusted position.

In the position shown in Fig. 2, the mechanism is being operated, andthe shaft 26 is in an angular position corresponding to Fig. 5.

Upon rotation of the control disc 42 in a clockwise direction, as viewedin Fig. 1, the projection 43 engages the arm 44 to angularly move theshaft 26 and trip the mechanism.

A traverse mechanism is provided for appropriately guiding the materialonto the spool 10. The traverse mechanism is shown most clearly in Figs.7 and 8.

A traversing arm 58 comprises two parts 75 and 76 adjustably securedtogether to determine, within limits, an effective combined length ofthe arm 58. The lower part 76 is rod-like and circular in section, andits upper end is threadedly received in an aperture of a transverseflange 77 of the upper arm. A set screw 78 secures the parts 75 and 76in an adjusted position.

The arm 58 is mounted for angular movement about an axis 78 spaced fromand extending in a direction normal to the axis of the winding roller inorder that a movable portion of the arm 58 sweeps substantially axiallyof the spool. A bracket 59 carried by the base 28 provides a bearing fora bent end of the lower part 76 of the traversing arm 58.

The upper part 75 of the traversing arm 58 terminates in upwardlyextending bifurcations 60. The material 11 between the winding spool 10and the measuring pulley 48 is guided by the bifurcations 60. Adjustmentof the length of the traversing arm 58 properly locates the bifurcationswith respect to the winding spool 10.

For reciprocating the traversing arm 58 about the axis 78, a linkagesystem is provided. A reciprocating lever arm 61 is of two-partconstruction, the parts 79 and 80 being adjustably secured together tovary the effective length of the reciprocating lever 61. For thispurpose, the lower part 80 is of circular cross section slidablyaccommodated in an aperture of a transverse flange 81 of the upper part79. A set screw 82 secures the parts 79, 80 in an adjusted position.

The two-part reciprocating lever arm 61 is pivotally mounted at itsupper end on a bracket 62. The movable end of the reciprocating leverarm 61 has a swivel socket member 63 threadedly receiving one end 64::of a connecting link 64. The other end of the connecting link 64 ispivotally connected to the traversing arm 58. For this purpose, a nut66, threadedly accommodated on the threaded portion of rod 76, has areduced cylindrical extension 83 mounting a relatively rotatable swivelring 84. A snap ring 99 enters a groove in this extension, and preventsrelative longitudinal movement betu een the adjusting nut 66 and thering 84. The end of the connecting link 64 passes with substantialclearance through aperture 85 of the ring 84. The connecting link 64carries an abutment collar 65 abutting the ring.

A tension spring 67, secured at one end to the casing 13, engages abracket 68 carried by the traversing arm 58 to urge the entire linkagemechanism toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 7, and in such directionas to maintain the collar 65 and ring 84 in engagement.

The reciprocating lever arm 61 is operated by a crown cam 69 that isunformly rotated by the transmission. The crown cam 69 engages a camfollower roller 86 carried by the upper part 79 of the reciprocatinglever arm 61. The cam follower roller 86 is maintained in engagementwith the crown cam 69 by the tension spring 67.

Upon rotation of the cam 69, the arm 61 and connecting link 64reciprocate to move the traverse arm 58 between definite angularpositions indicated by dotand-dash lines in Fig. 7. These angularpositions of the traversing arm 58 are determined by the pitch of thecrown cam 69 and the geometric relationships of the linkage system. 7 i

The sweep or amount of angular movement of the traversing arm 58 dependsupon the location along the length of the traversing arm 58 at whichconnection is effected with the connecting link 64. Adjustment of thelength of the sweep of the traversing arm 58 is efiected withinsubstantial limits by moving the adjusting nut 66 longitudinally of therod 76. Such adjustment shifts the position of the ring 84 along thelength of the traversing arm 58, downward movement of the nut 66increasing the sweep for a given stroke of the connecting link 64. Thenut 66 can be rotated despite the continuous connection between thetraversing arm 58 and the link 64 by virtue of the fact that the collar84 effecting the connection need not rotate with the nut 66, but it isnevertheless moved longitudinally therewith.

Adjustment of the sweep of the traversing arm can also be accomplishedby changing the stroke of the connecting link 64. This is accomplishedby adjusting the length of the two-part reciprocable lever 61.Increasing the length of the reciprocable lever 61 increases the strokeof the connecting link 64 to increase the sweep of the traversing arm58.

A substantial range of angular movement of the traversing arm can beaccomplished by adjustment both of the nut 66 and the two-partreciprocating lever 61.

In order to center the sweep of the traverse arm 58 with respect to thespool 10, the operating link of the connecting link 64 is varied. Thus,for instance, if the collar 65 carried by the connecting link 64 ismoved to the right, the

central position of the traversing arm is moved toward the right alongthe length of the spool 10. The threaded connection between theconnecting link 64 and the reciprocating lever arm 61 permits suchadjustment. Such adjustment is accomplied by manipulating a knurled knob71 formed at the left-handed end of the connecting link 64, as viewed inFig. 7.

The knob 71 and the nut 66 can both be adjusted during actual operationof the mechanism providing the cyclic speed of the device is small. Stopand start operation is thus avoided.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 9, the shaft 12, the bifurcations 16 and17, and the collar 18 may receive a card 100 in place of a spool 10. Thecard 100 is inserted between the bifurcations 16 and 17 and into adiametrically extending slot 101 of the collar 18. The clamp 21 movesthe bifurcations 16 and 17 together to engage the card 100 and properlymaintain the latter in position on the shaft 12.

The inventor claims:

1. In combination: a traverse arm; a support mounting the traverse armfor angular reciprocation about a first axis; said traverse arm havingguide means remote from said first axis for correspondinglyreciprocatring material to be wound upon a spool; a lever arm mountedupon the support for movement about a second axis parallel to said firstaxis; a first swivel adjustably mounted on one of said arms for movementtoward and away from the axis of said one arm; a second swivel mountedon the other of said arms; a link of adjustable length connecting thearms by the aid of the swivels; and means for reciprocating said leverarm through a predetermined angle; adjustment of the length of said linkserving to shift the center of the traverse movement, and adjustment ofthe position of said second swivel serving to vary the amount oftraverse movement of said traverse arm.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which said link has athreaded end cooperating with one of said swivels whereby the length ofsaid link is adjustable, said link carrying an abutment by the aid ofwhich a connection is established to the other of said swivels, therebypermitting rotation of said link, there being resilient meansmaintaining engagement between the abutment and the swivel.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which one of said swivelsincludes a ring, and a nut carrying the ring and threadedly mounted onthe corresponding arm, whereby the position of said one of said swivelsis adjusted.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which one of said swivelsincludes a ring, and a nut carrying the ring and threadedly mounted onthe corresponding arm, and in which said link has a threaded endcooperating with the other of said swivels whereby the length of saidlink is adjustable, said link carrying an abutment by the aid of which aconnection is established to the said one of said swivels, therebypermitting rotation of said link, there being resilient meansmaintaining engagement between the abutment and the said one swivel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS329,752 Ludlow -2 Nov. 3, 1885 572,759 Jamison et al Dec. 8, 18961,753,950 Sleeper et al. Apr. 8, 1930 1,931,009 Phelps Oct. 17, 19332,264,424 Winslow Dec. 2, 1941 2,336,574 Selvig Dec. 14, 1943 2,780,421Herr Feb. 5, 1957

